Rebirth: The Time-locked Girl
Chapter 204 Stepped on the bottom line, join forces to expel! [2 more]

Chapter 204: 204 Stepped on the bottom line, join forces to expel! [2 more]

Without a luxury brand that can establish itself internationally, there’s no way to protect our culture and crafts.

The director’s gaze was sharp, and she naturally knew that the emergence of Pulling the Sky was to create such a brand.

Unfortunately, the current international market is firmly controlled by three top-tier luxury brands, leaving no room for a fourth to wedge in or share the spoils.

"Of course, it’s true that the incident was the fault of the employees from Saint Leys Shenzhou Division," the director tempered her tone, saying indifferently, "which is why we’re still going to offer compensation. This year at the Global Center Fashion Show, MN Group can bring your company along."

Only globally renowned luxury brands are qualified to participate in a fashion show of this level.

For Pulling the Sky Company, a newly established company of just a few months, being able to enter the show would be an honor beyond any exchange.

It could be said that just by stepping onto this runway, Pulling the Sky would be able to establish itself in the international fashion scene, saving decades of hard work.

The stakes were high, and no small company would refuse such an offer. However—

"I’m sorry," Ye Wanlan spoke in a calm voice, "but the negotiations have broken down again."

The director frowned, her tone growing heavy: "What do you mean?"

"Beep beep beep—"

All that was left in the receiver was the cold mechanical tone.

The assistant, having heard everything, ventured cautiously, "So, they are unsatisfied with our compensation offer?"

But a public apology, replacing all involved senior executives, and compensation with participation in an international fashion show were already the greatest concessions.

What more could Pulling the Sky Company possibly want?

"Unsatisfied?" the director’s expression turned utterly cold as she said indifferently, "Since they’re unsatisfied, then there’s no need for compensation. They really think too highly of themselves."

The assistant nodded, "And the apology?"

"Indeed, an apology is still necessary, but make the tone sincere. Just post it on the social media platforms and the official website in Shenzhou," the director said impatiently, "Such a small matter, and yet they insist on making it widely known. In the future, we should minimize dealing with such overly earnest Shenzhou people."

"Understood," the assistant agreed, "I will carry out your instructions."

After leaving, he shook his head in regret.

The head of Pulling the Sky Company sounded like a very young girl; it was such a pity that in her youthful vigor, she lacked the patience to see that by stepping back, a vast sea and sky could be hers.

In the end, with MN Group being so massive in scale, the one to suffer would only be Pulling the Sky Company.

Having offended MN Group this time, if Pulling the Sky Company hopes to have a future in the international fashion industry, it doesn’t look promising.

**

Over at Pulling the Sky Company.

"Don’t stop me, let go of me," Jiang Xulin was fuming with anger, "I’m going to drive straight into the headquarters of MN Group and run that dog over!"

"And then what?" Fang Qingli glanced at him, "Then you’d be caught by Interpol and thrown into jail."

"What’s there to be angry about?" Ye Wanlan actually smiled lightly, "Did he say anything wrong? Everything he mentioned is true; he just wasn’t polite, that’s all."

"He..." Jiang Xulin paused and then fell silent as well.

Three hundred years ago, Shenzhou suffered a devastating blow that nearly ended its civilization.

It took nearly two hundred years to recover from being just "remnants."

In the past century, however, Shenzhou has grown rapidly in heavy industry and economic development as if blessed by the gods.

It’s a pity, though, that until now there hasn’t been a single internationally recognized luxury brand from Shenzhou.

"Sister Lan, if they don’t withdraw voluntarily, it seems we really can’t do anything about them," Fang Qingli was very angry, "This is too much. If we hadn’t had evidence to prove our innocence, they would have definitely pursued it relentlessly, forcing us to withdraw."

"Mm-hmm," Ye Wanlan turned her head, "The recording?"

"Here," said Fang Qingli, "I recorded everything they said, word for word."

"Good, post it online," Ye Wanlan’s tone remained calm, "I’ll provide a translation into Chinese and add subtitles."

Fang Qingli: "Okay!"

"Alright, Jiang Xulin, go on with your work, and don’t worry about the rest," Ye Wanlan instructed, "For the rest, I’ll handle it."

"That won’t do, I just can’t swallow this insult," Jiang Xulin clenched his teeth, "I’ll call my aunt. I can’t control other malls, but as for Saint Leys in all the Zhaoyun Plazas in Shenzhou, they must be shut down."

At this moment, the long-overdue apology statement from Saint Leys finally arrived.

[@SaintLeysV: Saint Leys Company and MN Group respect Shenzhou culture, unwaveringly and steadfastly. Due to neglect by the management in the Shenzhou District, a plagiarism incident occurred with the brand’s seasonal new products. We have now dismissed all the involved senior executives and will act in accordance with the law, tolerating no compromises.

We sincerely appreciate the public’s oversight, and all seasonal new products will be recalled and processed.

Hereby we proclaim!]

#SaintLeysApology#

[They apologized already, let’s move past this, shall we? To be fair, the ready-to-wear from Saint Leys is pretty decent and not as expensive as other high-end brands.]

[What’s the use of an apology if it can resolve everything? Why do we even need the police? This so-called apology doesn’t even mention ’Pulling the Sky’, nor does it offer any compensation. They’re just trying to brush it off coldly and sweep it under the rug!]

[It’s not Saint Leys’ fault. It’s those high-ups who can’t see straight. The most disgusting one is Shi Yongxin.]

[Saint Leys handled it well, and their apology came swiftly. I propose we acknowledge their commendable response.]

[The apology is full of official gibberish. I’m boycotting Saint Leys permanently!]

[Why isn’t the overseas official website synchronized? Exclusive to the Shenzhou region, huh?]

At the headquarters of the Starman Federation Empire’s MN Group, the special assistant reported the public opinion from Shenzhou to the supervisor.

"See? Do you see?" The supervisor chuckled. "We’re still in the thick of it, and consumers are already speaking up for us. In a few months, everyone will have forgotten about this."

The special assistant respectfully said, "Boss, your wisdom and foresight are immense. As long as our apologies seem sincere, they’ll help us clear all charges automatically."

The supervisor waved a hand dismissively, "Mobilize someone to the Saint Leys Shenzhou region ASAP. Choose a few sharp ones."

The assistant understood and was about to leave when a shocking piece of news came in.

"Boss, there’s been an incident!" The special assistant’s face drastically changed, stuttering, "The words you exchanged with Pulling the Sky... someone made a video and uploaded it online."

"What?" The supervisor was also stunned, "A video?"

The video had only been live for five minutes but had already amassed thirty million views.

Everyone could hear the arrogant and brash voice of a true Starman Federation Empire citizen in the video.

——"It’s not that I don’t want to bow my head, but the most forgetful ones are you, the consumers of Shenzhou. Just let some time pass, and this issue will eventually be forgotten, and your consumers will come flooding back in."

——"Do you know who ends up suffering and getting affected? It’s your intangible cultural heritage artisans!"

——"No matter how strong your cultural heritage is in Shenzhou, or that you have a history of over five thousand years, what does it matter? All these years, do you have any luxury brands that are recognized internationally and by the masses? No, you don’t."

This less-than-a-minute video stirred up a storm of anger across the internet.

By comparison, the official apology from Saint Leys seemed utterly ridiculous and laughable.

[So this is the real face of Saint Leys, huh! On one hand, they apologize, and on the other, they think about how to make more money. Get out of Shenzhou!]

[What about those who were speaking up for Saint Leys just now? Now that you’re getting slammed, can you still say the same things?]

[When you accepted Saint Leys’ apology, they were probably laughing at how stupid and gullible you are.]

Quan Zhaoning also saw the video and immediately had Jiang Xulin hand his phone to Ye Wanlan.

"President Quan, this is exactly the sentiment of the opposing high-level executives," Ye Wanlan said with a smile. "I think you no longer need to use your connections to negotiate any compensation."

Quan Zhaoning slowly exhaled, "You’re right. There’s no need to talk about connections at this point. We should take action directly."

Expelling Saint Leys from Shenzhou was the necessary course of action.

Otherwise, the MN Group would only think Shenzhou is easy to bully.

At the same time, at the Xiang Family residence.

"Brother Shaoyu, Brother Shaoyu," Xiang Lefeng rushed over, "I have an opportunity for you to ’embrace a big thigh’. Interested?"

Xiang Shaoyu was polishing a vase, "Spit it out."

Spit it out, if you have something to say.

"It’s about Miss Ye!" Xiang Lefeng narrated the conflict between Pulling the Sky and Saint Leys. "MN Group is really pushing their luck. Don’t you think this needs to be dealt with?"

With a twist of his eyebrows, Xiang Shaoyu sneered, "They’re really overstepping. As long as the malls stop leasing spaces to Saint Leys, they’ll be forced to pull out, even if they don’t want to."

There are only three top-tier luxury malls in Shenzhou, and besides Zhaoyun Plaza under the Zhaoyan Group, one of them is Everlight City owned by the Xiang Family.

Everlight City is a global high-fashion department store, home to nearly 2000 brands, over 90% of which are internationally renowned.

A significant part of the Xiang Family’s income also relies on leasing spaces to these brands.

Saint Leys has a total of 95 stores in Shenzhou, two-thirds of which are in Everlight City.

If Everlight City forcibly closes all Saint Leys’ stores, this brand that doesn’t rely on physical outlets would be effectively ruined.

"Brother Shaoyu, it’s still up to you," Xiang Lefeng gave a thumbs up. "But the MN Group headquarters made those statements this time. They have about seventy to eighty internationally renowned brands under them. What if they withdraw from Shenzhou in a fit of rage? Wouldn’t the consumers be dissatisfied?"

"Perfect, couldn’t ask for better, " Xiang Shaoyu said with an indifferent smile. "The other brands under MN Group can pack up and leave as well. It’s a great chance to free up space for other brands. I believe both Catika and Freya Yinnide would be quite pleased."

This was Shenzhou’s response, three hundred years later.